Video: NAFDAC seizes fake tomato paste in market
NAFDAC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted an imported tomato paste product at Bowa Market, Onitsha, after discovering that it bore a fake NAFDAC registration number belonging to a sachet water product.
Video: NAFDAC seizes fake tomato paste in market
NAFDAC said the discovery was made during a recent enforcement operation at the market.
The agency described the misuse of its registration number as a deliberate attempt to mislead consumers into believing that the tomato paste had regulatory approval.
Beyond the falsified registration, the agency said the product also violated Nigeria’s import rules, as tomato paste falls under the country’s import prohibition list.
“This is one of the deceptive practices we are working to eliminate,” NAFDAC said.
NAFDAC regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and other controlled products in Nigeria.
Its registration numbers are meant to show that a product has undergone the agency’s assessment and meets applicable safety and quality requirements.
Consumers can verify registered products through NAFDAC’s official product database.
The agency has repeatedly warned against counterfeit, unregistered and falsely labelled products.
Its compliance and enforcement mandate includes investigating complaints and seizing or supervising the destruction of fake, counterfeit, substandard, expired, adulterated and unwholesome regulated products.
Tomato paste is among products restricted from importation under Nigeria’s trade policy, a measure linked to the promotion of local production.
NAFDAC has previously said imported tinned tomato paste is prohibited because local production is available, adding that such consignments are both illegal and unsafe where they have not undergone regulatory review.
The Onitsha seizure adds to a wider enforcement push against illicit regulated goods in major Nigerian markets.
NAFDAC has conducted raids in markets including Onitsha, Idumota in Lagos and Ariaria in Aba, targeting banned, expired, falsified and substandard products.
The agency urged consumers to check NAFDAC registration numbers before purchasing regulated products and to report suspected fake or unwholesome items through its official complaint channels.
